Creative arts hub at Spilsby Theatre, Church Street, Spilsby

What was proposed

The proposal would turn the theatre and bar into a creative hub with community spaces, events, offices, heritage displays, a café and outdoor seating.

“Heritage interpretation and engagement will be a permanent part of the work of SSH, enriching the ways in which people can connect with, and be inspired by the history of the building. The heritage programme will include open day building tours and special events. It will make use of the building’s three prison cells for permanent display and will use other public spaces as appropriate.”

“The existing forecourt is to be rationalised. Improvements are required to the forecourt to allow for greater use of the front outdoor space both for events and for the café, and to provide a better entrance for the heritage site as a visitor attraction.”

Officer report

The site and building

The Old Sessions House is a prominent Grade II listed building in the Spilsby Conservation Area, surrounded mainly by residential properties and other listed buildings.

“The site is the Old Sessions House, which is located in the market town of Spilsby, to the west of the town centre, bordered by Church Street, West End and Spence Street. The Sessions House is a prominent landmark when approaching the town from the West. West End leads to the King Edward VI Academy, and the Spilsby Parish Church of St James is little further east along Church Street, and the Catholic Church opposite the Sessions House.”

“The Session House’s aesthetic value is derived from its Greek Revival design and imposing facade, reflecting judgement and imprisonment. The later buildings also hold a degree of aesthetic value displaying decorative features including the bay window to the former Sergeants office and arched lintels with central keystone over the windows, cornicing under the eaves and brick string course detail.”

Officer report

The building’s history

The building became a theatre in 1984, closed after serious deterioration, and later received funding and repairs to support its redevelopment.

“After just 4 years of operation the building was sold to the Dandelion Trust but the theatre had no further improvements over the subsequent decades. The building never had a maintenance plan and any maintenance it did have was essential only and reactionary, rather than preventative. Under the Dandelion Trust the operation of the theatre was based around good intentions and good will and was entirely reliant upon volunteering.”

“ELDC secured £8.1m of Levelling Up Funding from Government, now call MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) Grant Funding), for the redevelopment of Alford Windmill, Alford Manor House and Spilsby Sessions House. The funding allocated to SSH is £4.9m out of the £8.1m pot.”

Officer report

What officers advised

Officers supported the proposal because it would preserve and repair the building, restore its use, and provide public benefits outweighing less-than-substantial heritage harm.

“The proposal to bring the building back into use and carry out much needed repairs is supported in principle. Without this project the building is at great risk of being lost. The level of detail provided - including Heritage Assessment, Design & Access Statement alongside specialist condition surveys is considered proportionate to the works proposed.”

“The harm identified includes key changes such as alterations including partial removal of the existing tiered public gallery at the rear, levelling of the floor area and a new entrance at the rear.”

Officer report

Consultation and concerns

The highway authority raised no objection, heritage consultees supported the project subject to detail, and a church raised noise, parking and congestion concerns.

“LCC as Highway Authority and Lead Local Flooding Authority – No objection. Reasoning given. In addition, mindful of the site being located in a central urban area where services and facilities are within a reasonable distance to be accessed via sustainable travel options such as walking, cycling and public transport.”

“One letter from a third party, the Catholic parish of Sacred Heart, Skegness, and of Our Lady and the English Martyrs, which has premises to the south west on the opposite side of Church Street. Request social activities do not disturb the church through excessive noise/ concern about lack of parking could affect operation of the church. Already a busy congested area and no pedestrian survey.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No speakers addressed the committee on this application.

Members’ debate

Members praised the comprehensive proposal and the importance of preserving the historic building before proposing and seconding approval.

“- Members praised the comprehensive nature of the proposal and the importance of preserving the historic building.”

“Following which, the application was Proposed and Seconded for approval in line with officer recommendation.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

The committee approved the application unanimously, with ten votes in favour, no votes against and no abstentions, subject to conditions.

“That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes